Good Health at Every Age
Maintaining Balance in Your 60s and Beyond
Practice Medication Safety
Sometimes, growing older means taking more medication. If your physician has prescribed medication to make you feel better, the last thing you want is a drug interaction that makes you feel worse. You’ll want to follow some simple tips when taking medication:
- Ask your physician about potential interactions between medications, prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal supplements
- Purchase prescriptions at one pharmacy
- Read the labels carefully
- Take all medication as prescribed
- Call your physician if your experience side effects
The following article is the third of a 3-part series on maintaining good health through the decades, outlining primary health considerations and recommended screenings for various age groups — your 20s and 30s, your 40s and 50s, and your 60s and beyond.
July 2006 — Life expectancy in the United States has hit an all-time high of 77.6 years, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Health Statistics. Still, half of Americans ages 55 to 64 have high blood pressure and two in five are obese — putting many at high risk for serious conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
If you fit into this age group, now is the time to take stock of your health, including careful monitoring of your weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, risk for heart attack and signs of diabetes. In fact, says Julie Gerberding, MD, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, “The late fifties and early sixties are a crucial time of life to focus on disease prevention. It’s never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle to enjoy a longer, healthier life.”
Keep Up the Good Work
The best patient is a perceptive patient — and one who advocates for his or her own health. As you enter your 60s, consider modifications to your diet and exercise program, and pay regular visits to your primary physician, eyecare professional, dentist and other medical specialists. Continue the regular health screenings you began in your 40s and 50s and request assessments for:
- Balance
- Bone density. Osteoporosis makes bones weak and more susceptible to fracture, especially if your balance is compromised.
- Hearing
- Lung capacity
Between visits, be vigilant about your health. If you notice changes in your body that cause concern, don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment to speak with your physician.
Use It or Lose It
Did you know that a highly active 65-year-old woman is expected to live about six years longer than one who is sedentary? What’s more, women who take frequent exercise walks during their 60s are much less likely to experience mental decline in their 70s. The lessons: The longer you maintain your mental, physical and social skills, the longer you may be able to remain independent and healthy.
If you have been letting it all go for years, you can get back on track with some simple and safe exercises. Even mild activities, such as walking, gardening or doing household chores, can help you maintain and increase your strength and stamina. (Remember to check with your physician before starting strenuous activities or a new exercise program.)
| When You Improve… | You Benefit by… | With Exercises such as… |
| Endurance | Improving heart health, lungs, circulatory system and stamina | Climbing stairs, raking leaves and grocery shopping |
| Strength | Building muscle, increasing metabolism and helping to prevent osteoporosis | Lifting weights and performing resistance exercises |
| Balance | Helping to prevent falls | Walking heel to toe, balancing on one foot, or standing and sitting without using your hands for balance |
| Flexibility | Staying limber, preventing injury and easing recovery from illness or injury | Gentle stretching exercises |
Don’t stop there. Help keep your mind sharp by using “brain builders,” such as:
- Attending lectures, plays or concerts
- Dancing and gardening
- Playing cards and board games, and working crosswords and other puzzles
- Reading
- Taking a class
Remember, you can add social benefits by enjoying many of these activities with friends and family.
Be Prepared
You’ve planned for retirement, but have you made preparations for a time when debilitating health problems may leave medical decisions up to your loved ones? Now is the time to make your medical wishes known, which includes naming a specific person who will act as your healthcare advocate. Ask your physician to guide you through these important decisions.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” You have many of the tools you need to make every year count.
Your healthcare provider is an important partner in your health and wellness. If you would like to a referral to a physician, please call Memorial Physician Referral Service toll-free at (800) 944-DOCS. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.